Throughout their life, a person is exposed to a wide variety of environmental factors.He does not always eat correctly and rationally, often has bad habits, moves little or, on the contrary, experiences excessive physical exertion.Of course, for the body, the influence of these negative conditions does not go without consequences.All internal organs and systems suffer, including bone and joint structures, the damage to which can sometimes be very serious.
Many people suffer from joint diseases, and the causes of pathologies are factors such as injuries, infections, age-related changes, autoimmune processes or a combination of these.If the disease affects the lower extremities, especially the knee joints, then the person's motor activity is reduced to the maximum, performance is impaired, and social adaptation deteriorates.These negative consequences are particularly pronounced in cases of osteoarthritis of the knees, or gonarthrosis, which can lead to disease of the knee joints, whatever the origin.
Characteristics of the disease
Knee joints constantly experience increased physical stress, providing various types of human motor activity, therefore their health and functionality are extremely important.But inflammatory processes in joint tissues (arthritis), metabolic and dystrophic disorders or traumatic injuries, especially if treatment is started late, can lead to the development of a very dangerous disease called osteoarthritis of the knee joints, or gonarthrosis.
This pathology has a progressive course and is most often diagnosed in old age, which is associated with the accumulation of negative multifactorial effects on the body.However, knee osteoarthritis can also develop in younger people, especially after serious injuries.
The disease goes through three stages, characterized by certain symptoms and varying degrees of ability to “respond” to treatment methods.This is how gonarthrosis develops (each stage is expressed by a corresponding degree of pathological changes and destruction of the knee joints):
- With the first degree of osteoarthritis of the knee joint, degenerative-dystrophic processes begin in the cartilaginous layer.
- Stage 2 pathology is characterized by the progressive destruction of cartilaginous tissue, which is accompanied by a response growth of bone structures with the appearance of so-called osteophytes.It is at this stage that a person begins to experience knee pain and difficulty moving, so the diagnosis of gonarthrosis in most cases occurs at the second degree of joint destruction.
- Grade 3 is the almost complete absence of the cartilaginous layer or the presence of its individual small fragments.As a result, serious knee deformities are formed, loss of mobility (which leads to patient disability), maximum physical and psychological discomfort, as well as severe pain.Due to the active participation of bone tissue in the pathological process, osteoarthritis is often called osteoarthritis, and due to the formation of an X- or O-shaped curvature of the lower extremities - deforming osteoarthritis, or DOA.
Each stage and degree of the disease is expressed by increasing destructive processes in the joints, which determines both the approach to therapy and the choice of the most effective methods.
In addition, therapeutic tactics are also significantly influenced by the form of the disease, identified during the diagnostic process.Therefore, in order to obtain the most positive therapeutic result, it is important to distinguish the following types of gonarthrosis:
- primary, developing mainly in old age against the background of degenerative changes and being bilateral;
- secondary, formed against the background of joint pathologies or after injuries (for example, as a result of extensive hemorrhage inside the joint capsule, hemarthrosis of the knee joint may develop, the treatment of which has its own characteristics).The secondary form is most often unilateral and can be diagnosed at any age.
The role of traditional medicine in the treatment of osteoarthritis
As mentioned above, with arthritic changes in the joints, very serious destructive processes occur.They can begin with inflammation, an autoimmune reaction of the body, metabolic disorders or traumatic injuries.Unfortunately, gonarthrosis is a chronic and constantly evolving pathology, which, however, does not mean that no method can have an effect on the painful process that stops or slows down its development.
As the disease progresses and moves from one stage to another, the impact of provoking and predisposing factors continues.This is why the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, whatever its origin, must be aimed at them as a priority.Thus, in acute or indolent forms of the inflammatory process, anti-inflammatory drugs, steroidal or non-hormonal in nature, are necessary.Steroids also have a suppressive effect on the immune system, which is essential, with other groups of immunosuppressants, in cases of osteoarthritis of autoimmune origin.The initial stages of hyaline cartilage destruction can be further slowed down by introducing chondroprotective agents into the patient's body, which can partially restore its integrity and functionality.
It is these methods of treating osteoarthritis of the knee, that is, certain groups of drugs and drug therapy in general, which take the first place, excluding cases of severe knee osteoarthritis, when only surgical intervention such as endoprostheses takes on primary importance.In addition, with a conservative approach, physiotherapy, physiotherapy and massage are effective.What is the role of treating osteoarthritis of the knee joint with folk remedies and how effective is it?
Traditional treatment refers to the effect on the human body of means of natural, that is, natural origin, as well as low or high air temperatures and various parameters of its humidity.In this case, the effect takes place locally on certain areas of the skin or on its entire surface, through the digestive tract or through the respiratory tract.Of course, the most acceptable of them can be considered the local use of folk remedies for osteoarthritis, when lotions or compresses prepared from plant materials are applied to the knee area.
Meanwhile, other methods of influencing the patient's body can also be used if the attending physician allows it.Why not warm up in the village public baths and breathe in the invigorating “spirit” of juniper to restore your defenses and stimulate your immune system?Or not to use herbal and berry decoctions or fruit drinks containing a huge amount of vitamins and biologically active substances, which have a very beneficial effect on all internal organs, not only the joint system?
In general, the treatment of knee osteoarthritis with folk remedies, although it does not directly affect the cause and source of the pathology, pursues certain goals no less important than those of drug therapy:
- maintain immunity in a satisfactory state;
- providing a local anti-inflammatory effect on joint structures;
- slight stimulation of regeneration processes;
- additional positive effect on other internal organs and systems.
Therefore, treatment of deforming osteoarthritis of the knee joint with folk remedies, as well as other types of this pathology, is always included in a comprehensive and strictly individual treatment regimen.It plays the role of an auxiliary and additional method, which also traditionally has great psychological importance for patients.The use of all kinds of folk remedies, even at very serious stages of gonarthrosis, when there is practically no real therapeutic help, can still improve the psycho-emotional mood of a person, raise morale and inspire hope for recovery.And as we know, the psychological perception of the disease and its causes is the basis of the psychosomatic approach to therapy, which cannot be ignored.
However, it is always better not to use these well-known traditional medicine treatments alone, without taking into account the required dosages, frequency of intake and duration of treatment.It is important that the treatment of gonarthrosis of the knee joint with folk remedies, its intensity and the choice of a specific method are approved or recommended by a specialist.Only a doctor dealing with joint diseases can know exactly how to treat osteoarthritis of the knee with folk remedies, at what stage it is necessary and at what stage it is practically ineffective.
This is a specialist in the field of joint diseases or in the field of treatment with folk remedies who can give the patient the following recommendations:
- Before using the method for the first time, be sure to consult a doctor;
- before introducing a drug into the treatment regimen, carry out a tolerance test (for external use) - apply the ointment or solution to the skin of the inner forearm, leave for 1-2 hours and see the result (if there is no change, you can safely use it);
- whenever possible, do not make medicines intended for future use - for 1-2 days (except for products containing ethyl alcohol), observing the storage rules;
- strictly adhere to the dosage, frequency of administration and duration of treatment;
- If any side effects occur, you should immediately stop using the method and consult a doctor.
Every doctor knows that the earlier treatment is started, the more effective the result will be.This fully applies to gonarthrosis: using a conservative approach, including popular ones, makes sense at stages 1-2 of pathology.At the third stage, when the hyaline cartilage of the joint no longer exists and persistent osteo-fibrous deformations have formed, it will no longer be possible to completely cure the disease and treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joints with folk remedies will perform only a supportive psychological function.
Traditional medicine methods
To relieve pain, reduce swelling in the knee area and thus help restore joint functionality, several of the most common methods and recipes are used.The raw materials used are only of natural origin, which can be prepared independently or purchased at a pharmacy.
The following methods are mainly used in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint:
- compresses;
- ointments and rubs;
- decoctions and infusions;
- medicinal baths.
When applying compresses, the combined effect of plant materials and high temperature, created by the insulating layer, is important.It is best to use all types of compresses at night, when the knee joint is at rest, and 7-8 hours while the person is sleeping will be enough to provide the maximum possible therapeutic effect.As a rule, compresses are made once a day, for 7-10 days, after a while the course can be repeated.
Various components are used as raw materials for compresses: gelatin, dead bees, iodine, horseradish, kefir, potatoes, salt propolis, oatmeal.But the most common are vodka and cabbage leaves.A piece of cloth soaked in vodka or a hand-rubbed cabbage leaf is applied to the knee, then the leg is covered with a film and tied with a warm cloth.All heating pads have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and reduce swelling.
Homemade ointments and rubs are effective in producing a local anesthetic effect.For example, an equal number of chamomile flowers, burdock root and calendula inflorescences are crushed and mixed with petroleum jelly to form a pasty mass.This ointment is used 4 to 5 times a day when the patient is bothered by severe pain.
To support the body in the fight against osteoarthritis, you can use decoctions of medicinal herbs: lingonberry, calendula, St. John's wort, chamomile.The drink is prepared for a day, since its properties are lost during storage.On the contrary, alcohol tinctures can be stored for a long time, and their characteristics only improve.They can be prepared from elecampane root, dandelion and golden mustache stems.
Hot baths with string or chamomile, as well as with the addition of sea salt, perfectly relax muscles, relieve pain and swelling.After them, patients notice an improvement in their general condition and the mobility of their knees.Therapeutic baths are used once a day, preferably in the evening.
Patient feedback
Each patient, having asked for help, receives from the doctor a treatment regimen for osteoarthritis of the knee, which also includes traditional methods.As a rule, impressions from their use are positive, here are some of them:
- Woman, 58 years old: "I have suffered from deforming gonarthrosis for almost 10 years, I am constantly undergoing treatment. My doctor always says that the joints like heat, so I apply hot compresses to my knees in a certain pattern. They really relieve the pain and help me move."
- Man, 61 years old: "My mother also used fir oil to relieve joint pain. Now, having bilateral osteoarthritis in my knees, I apply her experience. I rub the oil well on my knees, wrap it in a warm scarf and go to bed."
- Woman: 50 years old: "I would like to recommend a recipe for osteoarthritis ointment, which helps me a lot. You need to grind 5-6 bay leaves, grind 1 teaspoon of pine needles or juniper berries and mix with 100 g of butter. Rub into painful joints before going to bed. Gradually, the pain and swelling disappear."
Treatment of knee osteoarthritis always takes a long time and requires perseverance and patience.It is important to follow all doctor's prescriptions and regularly resort to alternative treatments.Only in this case will a positive result be noticeable.